The increases in duty and supplier costs that had prompted some brands to cut abv (see above) meant supermarkets had struggled to keep prices down, suggested the BBPA, adding that beer prices were 6% higher in December 2011 than in December 2010.

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Punch said it supported the statement from Brigid Simmonds, the chief executive of the BBPA, who said its members had invested pounds 265 million into supporting the leased and tenanted sector over the past year.

2 per cent tax rise in the Budget has yet to surface in the statistics, the BBPA said the extended bank holiday season may help the second quarter figures, as people flock to pubs to enjoy the Royal wedding and the sunshine.

The BBPA suggests that volume sales in the period fell by around 10% year-on-year (y-o-y), with sales through retailers (the off-trade) falling by 12% and sales through pubs and bars (the on-trade) falling by 8%.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: "Whilst the overall trend is moving in the right direction, with the challenges of Brexit, it is vital we continue to enjoy supportive tax policies that boost consumer confidence in beer and pubs.

The BBPA said under the "disastrous" beer tax escalator, which was abolished two years ago, duty including VAT increased from 42p to 65p on a typical pint, with an estimated 7,000 pubs closing and 58,000 jobs lost after the escalator was introduced in 2008.

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